The US defense chief promises Ukraine what it needs to fight Russia, but doesn’t go any further

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States “will give Ukraine what it needs” to fight his war with RussiaUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday during an unannounced visit to Kiev, but gave no indication that Washington might support key plans by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky so-called “victory plan”.

The United States would provide Ukraine with what it needs “to fight for its survival and security,” Austin said in a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. He noted that the United States has provided more than $58 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, making it Kiev’s top donor.

That includes a new $400 million military aid package the Biden administration announced Monday, including ammunition for rocket systems and artillery, mortar systems and projectiles, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons. It comes just days after the US announced it would send it $425 million in military aid to Ukraine.

But Zelensky has asked Ukraine’s Western allies to go a few steps further and, in particular, to invite them Ukraine will join NATO and enable the use of Western-supplied long-range missiles to attack military targets deep inside Russia. Have these steps met with a muted response.

Ukraine is have difficulty holding back a fierce Russian campaign along the Eastern Front, gradually forcing Kiev forces to abandon a number of towns, villages and hamlets. After that, a hard winter lies ahead Russia has targeted its power grid.

Austin’s comments were notable for the fact that they contained nothing – an endorsement of inviting Ukraine into NATO or any indication that the US will support Ukraine’s more aggressive defense through longer-range attacks on Russian soil.

With the U.S. presidential election still about two weeks away, U.S. officials are taking a cautious approach. President Joe Biden has resisted measures that could escalate the war and lead to a confrontation between NATO and Russia.

Austin said: “There is no panacea. No single skill will turn the tide. No single system will stop Putin’s attack.”

He added: “Make no mistake. The United States does not seek war with Russia.”

“What matters is the way Ukraine fights back,” Austin told the assembled diplomatic and military personnel at the academy. “What matters is the overall impact of your military capabilities. And what’s important is to focus on what works.”

Zelensky said in a video address Sunday evening that his “victory plan” had won the support of France, Lithuania, Nordic countries and “many other allies” in the European Union, whom he did not name.

Zelensky said he had received “very positive signals from the United States” but did not say he had received Washington’s blessing for the plan.

Analysts say the US is unlikely to make a decision before the November 5 presidential election.

Russian attacks highlight Ukraine’s need for weapons

Recent Russian attacks on Ukraine against Kiev, Odessa and Zaporizhzhia have highlighted to Kiev officials the urgency of securing guarantees of more support, particularly large quantities of ammunition, for the war of attrition the two sides are waging.

A Russian missile attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed two people and injured 15 in the city center and caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten and more than 30 residential buildings, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Russia carried out a ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, injuring five people, city administration chief Oleksandr Vilkul wrote on social media.

According to Vilkul, Russia has carried out ballistic missile attacks on Kryvyi Rih for three consecutive days, injuring a total of 21 people and damaging dozens of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

Machine gun fire and the noise of drone engines could also be heard throughout the night in central Kiev. Authorities reported minor damage to civilian infrastructure from falling drone debris in three districts.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired three missiles and more than 100 drones into Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara on Monday to discuss cooperation between their countries.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the meeting focused on strengthening strategic ties, defense cooperation and addressing global food security through Ukraine’s Black Sea grain shipments passing through Turkey’s Bosphorus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has tried to pursue a balanced line in its NATO member country’s close relations with both Ukraine and Russia. He had previously offered to host a peace summit between the two countries.

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Associated Press writer Tara Copp in Washington contributed.

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